Controversial Weed Growing iOS Game Pulled from App Store

A new iOS game called “Weed Firm” has been pulled out from the App Store for containing controversial content, reports App Advice.

The game enjoyed top ranking on the Top Free iPhone Apps chart on Tuesday just before being removed from the App Store. Industry observers are now wondering how the game, with its controversial content, was approved by Apple in the first place.

Apple had recently booted out games with similar content, such as “Go Kane!” when it first appeared on the App Store. According toPocket Gamer, Apple claimed the game broke one of its rules.

“Apps must comply with all legal requirements in any location where they are made available to users. It is the developer’s obligation to understand and conform to all local laws,” Apple’s policy read.

The game “Weed Firm” lets players grow and trade cannabis products as a virtual business. The player is put in charge of growing cannabis and selling them with for the sole purpose of earning money, much like other, less-controversial “tycoon” games, ] the Daily Star reports.

The game even had this in their description:

Learn to grow weed, plant new varieties to increase your yields, expand your customer base and interact with the characters to become the biggest weed dealer in town. Become a more efficient and prosperous weed grower and seller. Watch out for the thugs and cops.

In the United States, selling and purchasing marijuana is considered illegal if not solely for medical purposes. According to Pocket Gamer, however, the customers in the game “Weed Firm” are clearly buying the product for recreational purposes.

Manitoba Games, the game’s developer, said that “the creators of this game do not encourage the cultivation or use of cannabis,” Daily Star reports.

“The plot of this game is solely a work of fiction and should be viewed only as such,” they added.